Skip to main content

Kaare Klint Canapes

Danish, 1888-1954

Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.

Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.

Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.

A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.

The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.

Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.

to
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
88
43
28
28
27
Creator: Kaare Klint
Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian Modern
Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian Modern

Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian Modern

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen snedkerier. A stunning pair of rare Kaare Klint Model no. 4118S two-seater box-shaped sofas with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. (Also called X-Bas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Related Items
Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa
Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa

Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa

$13,671

H 34.26 in W 78.75 in D 27.56 in

Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in London, GB

Oak framed Classic sofa designed by Kaare Klint and made by Mastercabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. Beautiful crisscross frame-work. Original upholstery which will make a statement in any...

Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark
1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark

1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark

$5,436

H 35.04 in W 79.93 in D 29.53 in

1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in Praha, CZ

This rare three-seater sofa is a masterpiece of Danish Modern design by the legendary architect Kaare Klint. Produced by the prestigious furniture maker Rud. Rasmussen, this sofa is ...

Category

1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Textile, Upholstery

Kaare Klint Original Rare Set of Ten '3758A' Armchairs in Niger Leather
Kaare Klint Original Rare Set of Ten '3758A' Armchairs in Niger Leather

Kaare Klint Original Rare Set of Ten '3758A' Armchairs in Niger Leather

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier, set of ten armchairs, model '3758A', Niger leather, mahogany, brass, Denmark, design 1930, made 1950s These dining chairs in Niger leathe...

Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Brass

Marthe Armitage X Sigmar, Kaare Klint 4118 Sofa
Marthe Armitage X Sigmar, Kaare Klint 4118 Sofa

Marthe Armitage X Sigmar, Kaare Klint 4118 Sofa

$11,996

H 35.83 in W 51.78 in D 29.53 in

Marthe Armitage X Sigmar, Kaare Klint 4118 Sofa

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in London, GB

This reupholstered Kaare Klint 4118 sofa is the centrepiece of our recent collaboration with Marthe Armitage Prints for London Design Festival 2023. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

By Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik

Located in Odense, DK

A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France
Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France

Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France

By Jacques Charpentier

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Sofa from the 1970s in original condition Leather cushions over a brushed steel base Designer Jacques Charpentier Sofa is convertible in a bed , mattress missing.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Stainless Steel

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 3-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, Made in 1970s

By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen

Located in Odense, DK

A classic Danish Mordern 3-seater sofa in brown leather, feets made in solid beech. Simple lines and a great comfort featured in this sofa. Designed by Stouby Møbelfabrik, Denmark. M...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Cognac Leather for Rud Rasmussen Denmark
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Cognac Leather for Rud Rasmussen Denmark

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Cognac Leather for Rud Rasmussen Denmark

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in WIJCKEL, NL

Three-seater sofa model 5011 in original leather and eight-legged ash base. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Denmark. Minor marks on the frame, patina to the leather. Shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1935. Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Gorm Harkær, Klintiana: “Kaare Klint”, vol.2, pg 94. Shipping services: Ask for our competitive shipping quote. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale...

Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Ash

Vintage Scandinavian Leather Black Sofa by John-Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form
Vintage Scandinavian Leather Black Sofa by John-Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form

Vintage Scandinavian Leather Black Sofa by John-Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This elegant, quilted sofa designed by John-Bertil Häggström for the Swedish manufacture Swed-Form, Skillingaryd during the 1970s. The sofa is upholstered in black natural leather wi...

Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Metal

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa
Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa

$8,850

H 30.5 in W 86 in D 30 in

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa

Located in Westwood, NJ

A fine Federal mahogany inlaid sofa with an arched camel back, with scroll arms on six legs, the beautifully upholstered cushion backrest, seat, and arms ...

Category

1790s North American Federal Antique Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Mahogany

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Settees with Ottomans in Cognac Leather Mahogany
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Settees with Ottomans in Cognac Leather Mahogany

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Settees with Ottomans in Cognac Leather Mahogany

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier, settees with ottomans, model ‘4698’, leather, mahogany, Denmark, design 1933 These settees with ottomans are designed by Kaare Klint for ...

Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Previously Available Items
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Niger Leather 1930s, Scandinavian Modern
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Niger Leather 1930s, Scandinavian Modern

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Niger Leather 1930s, Scandinavian Modern

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Rare 3-seater sofa model no 5011 designed by Kaare Klint and manufactured by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussens Snedkerier in...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Three Seat Sofa by Danish Designer Kaare Klint Model 4118 for Rud Rasmussen
Three Seat Sofa by Danish Designer Kaare Klint Model 4118 for Rud Rasmussen

Three Seat Sofa by Danish Designer Kaare Klint Model 4118 for Rud Rasmussen

By Kaare Klint

Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Rare Scandinavian three seat sofa by Danish designer Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Model "4118" dating from 1929 with a classic and sober design, precursor of the Scandinavian desig...

Category

1920s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint canapes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kaare Klint canapes, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original canapes by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. Prices for Kaare Klint canapes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $31,294 and can go as high as $64,481, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $47,888.